I did kendo very briefly when I lived in Japan. I was told the average student spends his first months swinging the shinai/boken, but since it was my friend's school, I was allowed to spar the first day. I think my unorthodox style confused the lower ranks, and I did quite well. I even thought I had a knack for it until I spared with a higher rank. I didn't get into it due to the high initial investment (uniform, gloves, helmet, etc..) and I think people got tired of me borrowing and stinking up their equipment. I found a couple of things interesting:

-You must call out your technique for it to be counted. Kind of like "check" in chess or "tori/ote" in Go.

-A hit to the glove would score.

-The first person to land a hit won, even if the "loser's" shinai made contact an instant later. I always thought this was strange. I mean, on the battlefield, what good was a "win" if the opponent cuts you down moments later?

-some chose to fight with two swords and competed in the same division as people wielding only one.

on a side note: My cousin was coming home from kendo when he was attacked by 3 young men. He managed to fight them off using his shinai! So if you're interested in a style that allows you to defeat multiple attackers, kendo is for you. Though I'm not sure how carrying a bamboo sword around would be construed in America....

At a basic level of training the target is called however as you become proficient the sound which emanates from you is rather more akin to a focused kiaki rater than an actual word - indeed I would defy anyone to clearly define the sounds being made.

Originally Posted by 12

-A hit to the glove would score.

A kote will score because the reality of taking such a blow with a real sword would likely result in you being unable to effectively control your sword.

Originally Posted by 12

The first person to land a hit won, even if the "loser's" shinai made contact an instant later.

This ethos stems from the philosophy of ichi go ichi ei essentially meaning that each encounter may be your last so make the best of it; bushido didn't carry a mentality of winning or losing so, if your opponent fought well and you cut your opponent down he died a "glorious death" equally, if he managed to retaliate in the last throws of his life, so did you.

Originally Posted by 12

I always thought this was strange. I mean, on the battlefield, what good was a "win" if the opponent cuts you down moments later?

See my last about the mentality of winning however; aiuchi was the act of simultaneous kills between two opponents of equal skill, this was not an uncommon occurrence.

In the bushi class structure it was considered improper for warriors to fight against lower ranked retainers, although you always had the 'cannon fodder' who got slaughtered by anyone and everyone, the more senior Samurai on opposing factions would be known to each other and, often sought each other out on the battlefield as a means on maintaining a high status of honour.

Originally Posted by 12

-some chose to fight with two swords and competed in the same division as people wielding only one.

Correct, also conventional kamae would be to hold the shinai in chudan however, there are schools of Kendo which advocate the Jodan no kamae - Above the head position for the shinai. Fighting against a kendoka in this kamae is very frustrating.

Kendo has absolutely zero self defense application unless you were carrying your bokuto/shinai with you at the time.

Josh.. Serious offer. If you were prepared to pay the shipping, I have a reasonable set of kendo armour going begging. I had several club sets used as loaners, when I shelved my dojo just before going to Iraq I made up a couple of good sets and donated the rest to people/other clubs. If you're serious about learning Kendo I'll happily give you a set, I can't promise it will fit perfectly, I'm six foot average build and weight and I'm ok with it.

What I don't have spare is shinai (bamboo sword) but I'm sure you could pick them up at your local MA store or online.

Thanks for the offer but I will be hard pressed to find any instruction in my area. There was/is a Korean in Baton Rouge and there is a club in New Orleans but with my teaching schedule it is impossible to go train. Also I have wholesale accounts with several companies that offer kendo equipment and I have family in Japan if I need something "authentic".

I just want a real instructor for this no bullshit half ass guy with his own method. What is crazy about all of this is that my wife was a junior state champion in Japan and refuses to teach me anything because she says she is not good enough to do so. I think some "sensei" could learn from her example.

I just want a real instructor for this no bullshit half ass guy with his own method. What is crazy about all of this is that my wife was a junior state champion in Japan and refuses to teach me anything because she says she is not good enough to do so. I think some "sensei" could learn from her example.

By "junior state" do you mean she was a prefecture champion in junior high school? It's not surprising that she wouldn't want to teach - most Japanese people up to and including sandan aren't comfortable teaching kendo. Women even more so.

At any rate if you are interested in connecting with an instructor, you will have better luck hanging out at the kendo world forums.

I just started kendo here in japan. I will admit that the way kendoka kiai was a bit off putting to me at first, but I am otherwise really digging it so far. I'm buying my gi and shinai in a couple of days. Any advice before taking the plunge?